Denny Hamlin
#11 FedEx Freight Toyota
Joe Gibbs Racing
Race Info:
Race: Goody’s Fast Relief 500
Date/Time: Oct. 30/1 p.m. ET
Distance: 500 laps/263 miles
Track Length: 0.526-mile
Track Shape: Oval
Banking: 12 degrees
2015 Winner: Jeff Gordon
Talladega Recap: Denny Hamlin edged Kurt Busch for third place by 0.006 seconds in Sunday’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Talladega Superspeedway to advance to the Round of 8 in the Chase via a tiebreaker with Austin Dillon in a thrilling final lap in the 500-mile event won by Joey Logano. Hamlin entered the day six points below the cut line of advancing in the Chase playoffs, and short of a win in the #11 FedEx Ground Toyota, needed help to move on. He spent the majority of the afternoon at the front of the large draft pack on the 2.66-mile, high-banked speedway, and as the laps clicked, found himself in a battle with Dillon for the final playoff spot. The FedEx Racing Team was virtually on its own Sunday at Talladega. Hamlin’s three Joe Gibbs Racing teammates — Kyle Busch, Carl Edwards and Matt Kenseth — just needed to avoid catastrophe to advance in the playoffs, and rode at the tail end of the field throughout the day. That left Hamlin at the front to battle for his Chase life against a bevy of two and three-car organizations. The race was not without its share of drama for Hamlin, who clipped the infield grass and received a pit road speeding penalty early in the race during his first green flag pit stop. Fortunately, a timely caution shortly after allowed the #11 to regain track position and stay in the lead pack. Hamlin lined up fourth for the final overtime green-white-checkered restart, and edged Kurt Busch at the finish line by a nose. Brian Scott finished second. The eight drivers advancing in the Chase are Hamlin, Kyle Busch, Edwards, Kenseth, Kurt Busch, Logano, Kevin Harvick and Jimmie Johnson.
Martinsville Preview: The Series heads to Martinsville Speedway for the first race of the Round of 8 segment at the half-mile ‘paper clip.’ Hamlin is a five-time Martinsville winner, and has recorded 16 top-10 finishes in 21 races at the flat, short track. Hamlin most recently won the spring 2015 Martinsville race, and also won in 2008 and three-straight races at the track in 2009 and 2010. He has led 1,315 career laps at Martinsville and owns a 9.5 career average finish.
Hamlin Statistics:
Track: Martinsville Speedway
Races: 21
Wins: 5
Top-5: 11
Top-10: 16
Average Start: 9.7
Average Finish: 9.5
Laps Led: 1,315
Hamlin Conversation — MARTINSVILLE:
Does the rest of the Chase set up well for the FedEx Team?
“I think absolutely. We have some of our best tracks still coming up, and obviously that starts with Martinsville this weekend. I have always maintained that if we can get to this Round of 8 in the Chase, we’re going to be tough to bed. The competition is certainly really good at this level, so it will be up to us to perform when it counts. We have confidence every time we go to Martinsville, and our focus this week will be to go there and get the victory.”
Jacksonville Along for the Ride at Martinsville: For the Goody’s Headache Relief Shot 500 at Martinsville Speedway, FedEx Freight will recognize the company’s Jacksonville, Fla., service center by featuring the call letters “JAX” on the #11 FedEx Freight Toyota. The Jacksonville service center, opened in 1995, has approximately 130 team members who are committed to making every FedEx experience outstanding.
#11 FedEx Racing – 2016 Crew Roster
Crew Chief – Mike “Wheels” Wheeler
Car Chief – Leo Thorsen
Engineers – Matt Beckman, Sam McAuley
Shock Specialist – Drew Bible
Tire Specialist – Kerry Ferris
Mechanics – Troy Welty, John Furino, Sean Kerlin
Spotter – Chris Lambert
Front Tire Changer: Dustin Necaise
Front Tire Carrier: Brandon Pegram
Rear Tire Changer: Mike Hicks
Rear Tire Carrier: Heath Cherry
Jack Man: Nate Bolling
Gas Man: Caleb Hurd
Transportation – Frank Hodel
